
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 15
1Reading lamps*61
2Interior lamps61
3Air conditioning62 
or automatic climate control
*65
5Indicator/warning lamp
passenger airbags37
6Central locking system21
7Hazard warning flashers
8Dynamic Driving Control44 Air distribution for air 
conditioning63
Air distribution for automatic cli-
mate control
*66
Automatic air distribution and flow 
rate
*66
Cooling function
*63,66
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control
*67
Recirculated-air mode63,67
Maximum cooling
*66
Air flow rate63,66
Defrosting windows
*66
Rear window defroster63,67 
4
Seat heating
*33
Roadster: opening the convertible 
top
*27
Roadster: closing the convertible 
top
*27
Dynamic Traction Control DTC51
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
*53
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
*54 

Climate
62
Climate
Air conditioning 
1Air flow toward the windshield and side win-
dows
2Air to the upper body area
Ventilation63
3Air to the footwell
4Air distribution
5Cooling function
*
6Recirculated-air mode
7Temperature
8Air flow rate
9Rear window defroster 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 63
Air distribution 
Direct the flow of air to the windows 
, to the upper body area   and to 
the footwell  . Intermediate settings 
are possible.
Switching cooling function on/off
When the cooling function is on, the 
air is cooled, dehumidified, then 
reheated depending on the tempera-
ture setting.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Recirculated-air mode
If the air outside the car has an 
unpleasant odor or contains pollut-
ants, temporarily shut off the supply 
to the interior of the car. The system 
recirculates the air within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the recircu-
lated-air mode, you should switch it off 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate. 
The manually controlled recirculated-air mode 
should not be used continuously for lengthy 
periods, otherwise the quality of the air inside 
the car will gradually deteriorate.<
Temperature 
For a higher temperature, turn the 
rotary switch clockwise towards red. 
For a lower temperature, turn the 
rotary switch counterclockwise 
towards blue.
Air flow rate
Adjust the air flow rate. The higher 
the rate, the more effective the heat-
ing or cooling will be.
Switching the system on/off
Set the air flow rate to 0. Blower and air condi-
tioning are switched off and the air supply is cut 
off.
To switch on the heater or air conditioning, set 
any desired air flow rate.
Rear window defroster
The defroster switches off automati-
cally after a certain time.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
1.Air distribution1 in position  .
2.Set air flow rate 2 to position 4.
3.Temperature3 to the right, red.
4.Switch on rear window defroster 4 to 
defrost the rear window.
Ventilation
1Knurled wheels to set any vent position 
from fully open to closed
2Slide for adjusting air flow direction
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air toward you, for instance if it has become too 
hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and not straight at you. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 65
Automatic climate control* 
1Air flow toward the windshield and side win-
dows
2Air to the upper body area
Ventilation67
3Air to the footwell
4Air distribution, manual
5Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
6AUTO program7Air flow rate, manual
8Cooling function
9Maximum cooling
10Temperature
11AUC Automatic recirculated-air control/
Recirculated-air mode
12Rear window defroster 

Climate
66
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program 6 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below. In addition, you can 
select an interior temperature you find pleasant.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Air distribution, manual
Direct the flow of air to the windows 
, to the upper body area   and to 
the footwell  . Intermediate settings 
are possible. The arrow lights up.
The automatic air supply remains unchanged. 
You can switch the automatic air distribution 
back on by pressing the AUTO button.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and side 
windows.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper 
body area and into the footwell for 
you. The air flow rate and your temperature 
specifications will be adapted to outside influ-
ences as a result of seasonal changes, e.g. sun-
light or window condensation.
The cooling is switched on automatically with 
the AUTO program.
The AUTO program functions only to a 
limited extent when the convertible top is 
open.<
Air flow rate, manual
Adjust the air flow rate. The arrow 
lights up.
The automatic air distribution 
remains unchanged. You can reactivate the 
automatic mode for the air flow rate with the 
AUTO button.The higher the air flow rate, the more effective 
the air conditioning will be.
Switching the system on/off
Turn the rotary switch to 0. The automatic cli-
mate control is switched off and the air supply is 
cut off.
To switch on the automatic climate control, set 
any desired air flow rate.
Switching cooling function on/off
When the cooling function is on, the 
air is cooled, dehumidified, then 
reheated depending on the tempera-
ture setting.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program. The passen-
ger compartment can only be cooled while the 
engine is running.
Maximum cooling 
At outside temperatures above 
327/06 and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum cool-
ing effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control switches to the 
lowest temperature and operates in recircu-
lated-air mode. Air flows at maximum rate only 
from the vents for the upper body area. You 
should therefore open them for maximum cool-
ing.
Temperature 
Set the desired temperature.
The values on the dial are approxima-
tions of the respective temperature 
resulting in the passenger compartment.
The automatic climate control achieves this 
temperature as quickly as possible regardless 
of the season, using maximum cooling or heat-
ing power if necessary, and then maintains it.
If you switch between different tempera-
ture settings in quick succession, the  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 67
automatic climate control does not have 
enough time to achieve the set temperature.<
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control/Recirculated-air mode
Switch on the desired operating 
mode by pressing this button repeat-
edly:
>LEDs off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air. If nec-
essary, the system blocks the supply of out-
side air and recirculates the inside air. As 
soon as the concentration of pollutants in 
the outside air has decreased sufficiently, 
the system automatically switches back to 
outside air supply.
>Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode: 
the inflow of outside air is shut off perma-
nently. The system recirculates the air 
within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the recircu-
lated-air mode, you should switch it off 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the 
air quality inside the car will deteriorate contin-
uously.<
Rear window defroster 
The defroster switches off automati-
cally after a certain time.
Ventilation
1Knurled wheels to set any vent position 
from fully open to closed
2Slide for adjusting air flow direction
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air toward you, for instance if it has become too 
hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and not straight at you.
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from 
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter 
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW 
center replaces this combined filter during reg-
ular maintenance. A substantial reduction in air 
flow indicates that the filter needs to be 
replaced earlier. 

Under the hood
94
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/
1 liter of engine oil until the warning lamp lights 
up in the instrument cluster, refer to page92, or 
until the oil level monitor shows "+1.0".
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the warnings on 
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may 
result.<
Oil change
Have your oil changed only by a BMW center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
requirements with the appropriately trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely impor-
tant for the function and life of an engine. BMW 
continuously approves specific oils after con-
firming their suitability for use in its vehicles 
with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not 
available, you can add small quantities of other 
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use 
oils with the API SH specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or other approved syn-
thetic oils.
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use any oil additives, as they could 
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is categorized in SAE classes.
Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends 
on the regional climatic conditions in which you 
normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and 
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up:
The coolant level is too low. Top up the 
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not open the cooling system when the 
engine is hot. If you do, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additives. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Your BMW center knows 
which additives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, otherwise 
the engine could be damaged. The addi-
tives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level 
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated  

Technical data
114
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 14.5/55 Fuel specifications: page83
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8
Window washer system For details: page46
including headlamp washers US quarts/liters approx. 5.3/5.0
Cooling system including 
heating circuitFor details: page94
>Manual transmission US quarts/liters 8.0/7.6
>Automatic transmission US quarts/liters 8.9/8.4